HEMATOLOGICAL VARIABILITY AND CLINICAL SEVERITY INDICATORS IN CATS WITH SUSPECTED FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

Abstract

Feline panleukopenia is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of cats that commonly involves gastrointestinal injury, immune suppression, dehydration, and potentially fatal systemic complications. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and hematological profiles of cats suspected of infection with Feline Panleukopenia Virus in a veterinary clinical setting. A clinic-based observational case documentation approach was applied. Clinical evaluation included body temperature, heart and respiratory frequency, hydration status, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, stool condition, and appetite. Hematological assessment included white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, platelet count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red blood cell count. The examined cats showed fever, severe dehydration, liquid diarrhea, anorexia, pale pink mucous membranes, and delayed capillary refill time, indicating systemic illness, gastrointestinal involvement, and impaired peripheral perfusion. Hematological findings varied across cases. One cat showed leukopenia, whereas others showed leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, lymphopenia, monocytosis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, low hematocrit, or reduced red blood cell count. These findings indicate that cats with clinical suspicion of feline panleukopenia may not always show a uniform hematological pattern. Leukopenia remains diagnostically important, but leukocytosis and monocytosis may suggest inflammatory or secondary infectious processes. Thrombocytopenia, anemia, and low hematocrit may indicate more severe systemic involvement. The study supports the combined use of clinical examination and hematological profiling for early recognition, severity assessment, prognosis, and supportive treatment planning in suspected feline panleukopenia.